Following Wednesday night's postponement, Sabathia will start Thursday afternoon's must-win Game 4 in Detroit. And if the entire postseason is any indication, he will have to be borderline perfect. That is because the Yankees’ offense is hitting .200 and averaging 2.6 runs per game in eight playoff games.

Because he pitched (and won) the decisive Game 5 in the ALDS against the Baltimore Orioles, Sabathia has been relegated to a spectator role in what has been an increasingly frustrating ALCS for the Yankees. But he is on full rest and eager to get on the mound.

"I am definitely looking forward to getting a chance to pitch in this series," Sabathia told the team’s website. "You know, I felt pretty good the last two or three times out and felt good in the bullpen, so I just look to continue to build off that, make sure I have my command down—the fastball command—and really work off that. But I always say, whether good or bad, I always put the last one behind me. I am ready for (Wednesday)."

Sabathia won both of his ALDS starts, posting a 1.53 ERA and striking out 16 batters in 17 2/3 innings.

And he has had success against the Tigers this season, going 3-0 with a 3.32 ERA in three starts against them.

"He's the thing we have to hang our hat on for (Game 4)," third baseman Eric Chavez told the team’s website.